Medieval Literary Thought: From Antiquity to the 12th Century
The Absence of Empirical-Rationalist Theories
While the Middle Ages lacked empirical-rationalist literary theories, it fostered significant reflections on beauty and interpretation that profoundly impacted Western culture, especially literary thought.
The Shift in Ideologies
Several factors shaped the medieval approach to literature: the decline of humanist culture in the Roman Empire, the rise of ideologies influenced by Plato and spiritualism, and the fusion of Greek myths and Judeo-Christian thought. These elements redefined the role of poetic texts during the Middle Ages.
Christian Antiquity and Literary Texts
The origins of the medieval attitude toward literature can be traced back to Christian antiquity. Early Christian apologists linked beauty to truth, influencing the evolution of art and poetic theory. From the 6th century onward, pagan texts and authors were reinterpreted allegorically as symbols of Christian truth.
The Fathers of the Church and Literary Texts
Figures like St. Augustine adopted a conciliatory stance toward literary texts, albeit with interpretations that sometimes obscured their original meaning. Despite this, the canonization of certain texts and authors led to the preservation of rhetorical-poetic theories in compilations and treatises by scholars like S. Rubano, Isidoro, and Mauro.
The Late Middle Ages and Paul Zumthor
Paul Zumthor’s work, particularly The Letter and the Voice: From Medieval Literature (1987), offers valuable insights into medieval literary culture. He helps explain why this period, rich in certain literary forms, is relatively lacking in literary theory. Zumthor highlights the oral nature of medieval literature and its inherent openness as reasons for the absence of extensive theoretical works.
The Oral Nature of Medieval Literature
The open nature of oral literature, constantly evolving through voice and gesture, resisted definitive interpretation. Unlike written texts, which are closed and finalized by an author, oral texts remained fluid and open to ongoing reinterpretation.
The 12th Century and the Secularization of Society
Around the 12th century, elements began to emerge that would later contribute to the concept of literature. This coincided with a growing secularization of Western society, exemplified by the School of Chartres. This intellectual center sought to reconcile thought (sapientia) with beautiful expression (eloquentia).
The Rise of Written Speech
During this period, writing gained prominence over oral tradition. A shift occurred in scholastic settings, where written speech was increasingly viewed as superior to spoken word. This led to a renewed interest in poetic knowledge and reflection.
Medieval Poetics and the Influence of Horace and Cicero
The first medieval poetics, written by figures like Matthew of Vendôme and Geoffrey of Vinsauf, drew heavily on the methods of Horace and Cicero. These poetics affirmed the value of specific forms of speech, designated as poetic, and engaged with aesthetic and poetic principles to define poetic texts.
Poetry as a Craft
Medieval poetics often treated poetry as a craft governed by rules. This reflects the efforts of cultural authorities, primarily the Church, to maintain influence in a changing era marked by increasing disregard for established norms. The prevailing idea of poetry during this time was that of speech subject to rules, a concept that subsequent centuries would increasingly challenge.